Malachi 3:16

Then; when atheism and bold contempt of God was grown so high, and was so plainly and smartly reproved by the prophet. They that feared the Lord; those that were truly religious, that knew God's judgments were a great deep, and that his ways were as high above our ways as heaven above the earth. Spake often one to another; discoursed aright of God's mercy, justice, patience, holiness, and wisdom in his government and manage of the sells of men; established one another against the assaults of such proud, contemptuous disputers; encouraged each other to wait for God in the way of his judgments. Though it is not said what they spake, we have reason to believe it was as good of God and his proceedings as the discourse of the wicked was evil. The godly spake things that did as much become the ways of God, as what the wicked spake did disparage the ways of an omniscient, holy, patient, and just God. The Lord hearkened: after the manner of man, the Lord is represented as if he did listen to hear more distinctly, and as if he did incline his ear. And heard it; clearly, perfectly, and fully understood and observed, and what the godly spake of him and for him. A book of remembrance was written before him; a registry was made of the persons and their discourses. This is after the manner of men spoken of God, whose omniscience seeth, knoweth, and remembereth all; but this book is written before the Lord, he will have every good man, every good word of such, and every good thought such have for him, entered under his eye, that they may be assured of a comfortable reward for it. For them, on their behalf, that feared the Lord: see above. That thought upon his name, with love, esteem, and holy admiration. Then; when atheism and bold contempt of God was grown so high, and was so plainly and smartly reproved by the prophet. They that feared the Lord; those that were truly religious, that knew God's judgments were a great deep, and that his ways were as high above our ways as heaven above the earth. Spake often one to another; discoursed aright of God's mercy, justice, patience, holiness, and wisdom in his government and manage of the sells of men; established one another against the assaults of such proud, contemptuous disputers; encouraged each other to wait for God in the way of his judgments. Though it is not said what they spake, we have reason to believe it was as good of God and his proceedings as the discourse of the wicked was evil. The godly spake things that did as much become the ways of God, as what the wicked spake did disparage the ways of an omniscient, holy, patient, and just God. The Lord hearkened: after the manner of man, the Lord is represented as if he did listen to hear more distinctly, and as if he did incline his ear. And heard it; clearly, perfectly, and fully understood and observed, and what the godly spake of him and for him. A book of remembrance was written before him; a registry was made of the persons and their discourses. This is after the manner of men spoken of God, whose omniscience seeth, knoweth, and remembereth all; but this book is written before the Lord, he will have every good man, every good word of such, and every good thought such have for him, entered under his eye, that they may be assured of a comfortable reward for it. For them, on their behalf, that feared the Lord: see above. That thought upon his name, with love, esteem, and holy admiration. Then; when atheism and bold contempt of God was grown so high, and was so plainly and smartly reproved by the prophet. They that feared the Lord; those that were truly religious, that knew God's judgments were a great deep, and that his ways were as high above our ways as heaven above the earth. Spake often one to another; discoursed aright of God's mercy, justice, patience, holiness, and wisdom in his government and manage of the sells of men; established one another against the assaults of such proud, contemptuous disputers; encouraged each other to wait for God in the way of his judgments. Though it is not said what they spake, we have reason to believe it was as good of God and his proceedings as the discourse of the wicked was evil. The godly spake things that did as much become the ways of God, as what the wicked spake did disparage the ways of an omniscient, holy, patient, and just God. The Lord hearkened: after the manner of man, the Lord is represented as if he did listen to hear more distinctly, and as if he did incline his ear. And heard it; clearly, perfectly, and fully understood and observed, and what the godly spake of him and for him. A book of remembrance was written before him; a registry was made of the persons and their discourses. This is after the manner of men spoken of God, whose omniscience seeth, knoweth, and remembereth all; but this book is written before the Lord, he will have every good man, every good word of such, and every good thought such have for him, entered under his eye, that they may be assured of a comfortable reward for it. For them, on their behalf, that feared the Lord: see above. That thought upon his name, with love, esteem, and holy admiration.